I forgot to tell you about yesterday’s cinnamon rolls. When we checked into this campground, we received the usual list of “what’s happening in the park”. Listed on that list was the Saturday morning cinnamon rolls that “are the best you have ever tasted, and you had better come early as they sell out”… Seeing as how we had checked in last Saturday AFTERNOON, I didn’t have a chance to get mine, so I had to wait for AWHOLE week. Well yesterday morning finally arrived and I was one of the first to get into the line (well, I didn’t want them to sell out…). Remembering how good these cinnamon rolls are supposed to be, I bought 3…one for now, one for Louise (knowing darn well she is on a diet and would pass) and one for tomorrow’s coffee. Now I’ve paid my $3, have them in my hand, and heading home to my patio and my fresh cup of coffee. I can just taste that treat I’m about ready to enjoy….ya right !!! Without a doubt, these cinnamon rolls are the worst pieces of pastry that I’ve ever put my mouth around !!! Oh well, lesson learned.

After breakfast this morning, Louise and I decided to hike into the Red Hills, those red hills that rise across the valley from us. Last week we walked over there and did some hiking, but this time we drove to the base of the hill and started there. After paying our $1 fee, we checked out the different trails and decided to take the one that ran up one of the canyons. About the first mile we were walking the red sands of the area, and when we rounded the first bend, we found we would hike on shear rock that lined both sides of a stream. This was really a beautiful scene and we were just about the only hikers around. A little bit up stream we did come across another couple and being Sunday we just knew we would see a lot more soon. At one point, we got to where the water and the steep walls came together. The only way around to the other side was to slide your belly up close to one of the large rock slabs, put your foot into one of the many foot holds that were dug out of solid rock, and grab a hold of a knotted rope.

This rope was anchored at the top of the rock, and was long enough to swing completely around to the other side. In getting around to the other side we found that the stream went around and through another canyon. A second choice was a hiking trail that would lead us up and into a second canyon. After about the first 100 yards, we found ourselves climbing through and over rocks that took us to a wonderful overlook.

Actually, this “overlook” was a good stopping area. It gave us a good place to enjoy the canyons far below and contemplate what path would take us back down safely.

We made it down just fine, but picked up some red dust on the bottom of our shorts in doing it. After reaching the bottom we decided to hike up the second canyon. In doing that we found that we would either have to wear our hiking shoes in the stream or go bare foot as the walls of the canyon were too steep to allow us to walk around.

I did take my walking sticks with me for balance, but I also found them handy to measure the depth of the water. About 75 yards into our walk in the water we found a deeper hole that made us either get out on a sloping wall or go swimming…we chose to try the sloping wall bare footed…not a good idea. It’s been a long time for my poor ole bare feet to have been put to this kind of torture so we made our turn-around and headed home. We had a great hike and I guarantee you, we’ll feel it for a few days. Tomorrow we will be joining Bob and Laurie on the water…one more kayak outing before we head off to Bryce Canyon National Park on Tuesday.